Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 69 - The Holy Land of Swords

Located in the far west of the northern continent: the Holy Land of Swords.

The air rang with the sounds of clashing wooden swords and the sharp crack of focused strikes. Most of the people moving along the paths wore training uniforms, or something close enough, wooden swords and towels in hand.

And Eris Greyrat was swinging her sword like nothing else in the world existed.

"Eris! Eris!"

The one calling out so excitedly was Nina, a woman with dark blue hair pinned up, dressed in her training uniform.

"What is it?"

"Letters for you — two of them! One's from that Rudeus you think about every single day, and the other's from someone named Sylphiette."

"Quick! Give them here!"

Eris snatched the letters with a grin.

She tore open the envelopes and stared at the pages for a long, long time.

"What's wrong? What did Rudeus say?"

Nina asked, and she wasn't entirely sure why she was nervous. Maybe it was because she'd looked into Rudeus at some point and learned how exceptional he was. She'd been half-afraid ever since, afraid he might one day abandon Eris, who was pushing herself so hard for his sake.

There had been friction between them early on, but they were genuinely friends now. Nina had quietly settled into the role of older sister, keeping an eye on Eris and her endearing blunders.

"Eris? What does it say?"

Eris furrowed her brow. A few seconds passed.

"I... don't remember how to read these characters anymore. Nina, can you read?"

"Didn't you say Rudeus was the one who taught you? Didn't he teach you?"

"You're so annoying! There are plenty of characters I never learned, I just can't read a few of them, that's all! I still know some, look, like right here."

Eris read the sender's name aloud, Rudeus Greyrat, then turned to Nina with unmistakable self-satisfaction.

"Ha... you just recognize your own man's name."

"Nina, read it to me."

"What, I can't read either."

"Are you serious! Rudeus always said if you can't read, you'll end up in trouble when something actually happens!"

"You're one to talk. When it comes down to it, you can write your own name and your man's name. That's the full list."

They were still going at it when Isolte walked over.

"I heard everything. Stop arguing — I'll read it."

"Please. Thank you."

Eris handed the letter over without argument. Isolte looked at the page and read it through quietly to herself first.

Her expression shifted. Not anger, exactly, but the warmth drained out of it.

"I'm a follower of the Milis Church, so I'm not sure how to put this." She glanced up. "Eris-san, I'll read it to you."

"Mm!"

Isolte cleared her throat.

To Eris,

Nearly 4 years have passed since we parted. I hope you haven't forgotten me. I still love you.

The purpose of this letter... is a bastard of a purpose. Because while I love Eris, I have also fallen in love with another woman.

Of course, falling in love doesn't mean I'll pursue her. Humans are not animals, it is the existence of reason that makes humans human.

The purpose of this letter is to seek Eris's consent. If you don't agree to me taking another wife, I will restrain myself.

By the way, the person I've fallen for is named Sylphiette. I took you to meet her just after your tenth birthday.

Lastly, I wish you well in your training. If you have time, write me back. I hope you still know how to read.

Rudeus, who loves you.

Eris's expression hadn't been great through the first half. But when she heard Sylphiette's name, something in her face eased.

Isolte finished and stole a glance at her. No anger. She relaxed.

"Well... as a follower of the Milis Church, I should be dead set against this sort of thing. But." She paused. "It's also a fact that your man hasn't betrayed you."

"I have to say, I'm genuinely surprised," Nina added. "From everything I'd heard about Rudeus, he always sounded like a cold sort of person. I never imagined he'd write a letter asking for Eris's consent over something like this."

The two of them kept the kind words coming, quietly terrified that Eris's mood would sour and they'd end up getting dragged into a sparring session.

"Oh — the other letter. Sylphiette... ah! That's the one your man fell for!"

Isolte took the second letter and started reading.

To Miss Eris,

So many years have passed since the Teleport Incident, and I have finally met Rudeus again.

He's become more handsome. More powerful. And even gentler...

I like him. So I'm going to pursue him. I wonder if Miss Eris still remembers the promise we made when we were children?

I heard a lot about the two of you from Aisha. I envy you... to be precise, it might be jealousy.

Rudeus likes you. For your sake, he's turned down who knows how many women. How wonderful... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous.

But, to the point. I will pursue Rudeus! I don't know if he would like a woman like me, one without much of a figure, but I'll work hard for his sake. Writing to you is also because of our promise.

Lastly, I wish you well in your training.

Your friend, and possibly your future family, Sylphiette.

Isolte finished and stole another glance at Eris.

Still calm. She let out a quiet breath.

"So... what was the promise?"

"If Rudeus is willing, we can both become his wives and support him together."

"I see." Isolte gave a small nod. "As a follower of the Milis Church, I can't say I'm fully comfortable with it. But I'll still wish you well."

Nina stayed quiet. She just found it quietly baffling that two women could be so completely, utterly devoted to this one man named Rudeus.

"Eris, do you want to write back? I can write it for you."

Eris didn't answer right away. She stood there for a long moment, fists clenched at her sides.

"Do you think... Rudeus will still like me? The way I am now... I don't have a shred of feminine charm."

She looked down at herself.

Muscle packed across her frame, her height noticeably greater than it used to be. Her chest was full enough, sure, but, would Rudeus really like what she'd become?

"Of course he still likes you! He turned down so many women for your sake. And when he fell for Sylphiette, what did he do? He wrote to you and asked. You're the most important person to him, that letter proves it."

Isolte nodded along with Nina's words.

"Nina, for once you're not being a complete blockhead."

"Ha? What did you just say!"

Eris ignored them both. A smile had found its way onto her face.

They both noticed. The bickering stopped.

"I want to write a letter to Rudeus."

"Hold on, just so you know, if you don't agree, then you just don't agree. Rudeus wrote to ask for your consent. If you say no, he won't go after Sylphiette. You don't have to push yourself."

"Mm... I want to agree." Eris's voice went quiet. "Rudeus hasn't found anyone else in all the time I've been away. I've let him down..."

"How is that letting him down? You've been training for his sake too. The way you say it, it sounds like you've been off finding other men."

"But Rudeus is so..." She trailed off. "I'm just trying to be worthy of him. And now... how do I even say it... ugh, I can never find the right words."

"Well. If that's how Eris-san sees it, there's nothing more for me to say."

Isolte left it there. Nina, on the other hand, suddenly spoke up.

"So what's the situation between Eris and Sylphiette? What kind of relationship do you two have?"

"Mm... decent enough, I think. Though I've already forgotten what she looks like. It's been too long."

"Honestly, knowing you, I figured you'd never allow your man to fall for someone else."

"Rudeus can like other women. As long as I'm still as important to him as I used to be. And when we said goodbye back then, I told him he could find someone else anyway." A small pause. "He just can't forget me."

"Our genius Eris-sama turns into a completely different person every time her man comes up~"

"Isolte! Write the letter for me!"

Today, at the Holy Land of Swords, was another peaceful day.

➤ Next: The Daily Life That Stopped